Tag Archives: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Mississippi, the 49 other states and Puerto Rico will receive more than $370 million in federal funding for 115 high-impact conservation projects as part of the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program. In turn, these projects will leverage an estimated $400 million in partner contributions to improve the nation’s water quality, support wildlife habitat and enhance the environment, the U.S. Department of ...

JACKSON — The Mississippi Rural Water Association has sued the state Public Service Commission in federal court, claiming the commission overstepped its authority and conflicted with federal law when it required a 60-day delay in utility deposits for domestic violence victims. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Jackson by the association, which has more than 1,000 members ...

JACKSON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications to help producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations and achieve other environmental benefits. NRCS has directed millions of dollars in financial assistance for Fiscal Year 2015 to help Mississippi producers implement ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The new agriculture rule released in conjunction with the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) proposal could fundamentally alter interaction between farmers and the federal government and should be immediately withdrawn, U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Republican members of the Senate Agriculture Committee asserted yesterday. Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Cochran, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Pat ...

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The major storm that passed through the state Oct. 13 brought a lot of wind and rain but caused little damage to the state’s row crops, because most of them were already harvested. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures released Oct. 12, harvest was 87 percent complete for rice, 74 percent complete for soybeans, 98 percent ...

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Goats are growing in popularity among Mississippi livestock producers who have limited acreage or want to diversify their farming business. “Since 2012, the overall number of meat goats in the southeastern region of the state has increased,” said Mitch Newman, Greene County agricultural agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “More small farmers want to raise ...

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Mississippi producers are quite happy with the peanut crop they are harvesting in early October, and recent dry weather has provided excellent drying conditions. “Overall in the state, we’re seeing above average yields, and the lowest grade I’ve heard is 68-69, which is the highest grade some growers have gotten in the past,” said Jason Sarver, peanut ...

VARDAMAN — A dry September put a damper on Mississippi sweet potato production, but the rain in early October may help the crop remaining in the field. Stephen Meyers, sweet potato specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said sweet potato fields received about an inch of rain Oct. 3. “We’re optimistic that this rain will help size up ...

TUNICA — The nation’s farmers and agricultural landowners have some important decisions to make in the next six months. Krysta Harden, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, met with farmers and others at the Tunica Museum on Sept. 29 to answer questions about programs available in the new farm bill. While the delay in passage of the farm ...

DURANT and STONEVILLE — Two Mississippi-based conservation projects have been singled out for more than $1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture grant funding, including a project to help socially disadvantaged farmers adopt soil and water conservation technologies. As authorized in the 2014 Farm bill, the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are provided on a competitive basis to encourage the development ...